Rewritten article (Argentine journalistic tone; paragraphs of 2 to 4 sentences; no blank lines between paragraphs)
The latest national survey on children's and adolescents' activities revealed a shocking fact: more than 40,000 minors perform labor tasks in Uruguay. Labor Minister Juan Castillo described the situation as unacceptable and demanded swift responses from the state and institutions. The 2024 survey places the problem on the public agenda with numbers that demand concrete policies and regional support.
According to the report, 6.8% of children between the ages of 5 and 17 are engaged in some form of work; 4.9% participate in paid economic activities, and nearly 2% perform unpaid work. The figures increase with age and reach 10.6% among the 15- to 17-year-old age group, raising alarm among educational and social authorities. The phenomenon is more prevalent in the interior of the country and affects girls and adolescents in unpaid work to a greater extent.
Castillo emphasized that in a country of just over three and a half million inhabitants, this number is not a cold statistic, but rather lives that should be studying, playing, and receiving care. The minister called for coordination between ministries and agencies to address the causes that force minors into child labor. The government's announced strategy includes prevention measures, oversight, and support for families in vulnerable situations.
The director of the Committee for the Eradication of Child Labor, Andrea Bouert, outlined the guidelines: prioritizing school retention, strengthening safety nets, and advancing socioeconomic support programs. Bouert stated that the response requires combining local action with sustained national policies. She also emphasized the importance of record-keeping systems that allow for monitoring where and how the phenomenon is occurring.
The territorial map shows clear differences: Montevideo registers rates below the national average, while inland towns have a higher incidence. The report highlights that factors such as precarious employment for adults, poverty, and a lack of educational options contribute to early entry into the workforce. Therefore, specialists insist on multidimensional strategies that include decent employment for adults and targeted support for families.
In addition to the diagnosis, the survey provides elements for designing interventions: critical ages, geographic areas, and the most common types of work. The figures indicate that early intervention is key to preventing the loss of educational opportunities and the recurrence of cycles of poverty. Authorities stated that they expect the next report to show a significant reduction if the promised measures are effectively implemented.
Civil society and local organizations were called upon to join forces, both in prevention and early detection of cases. At the same time, the need for awareness campaigns to change cultural perceptions about child labor was reaffirmed. The challenge is twofold: protecting those currently working and preventing other minors from entering the labor market out of necessity.
